Sheriff's office: Homicide in Arcadia was domestic-related

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

Those who knew Timothy "Shane" and Emily Benbow were continuing to search for answers Wednesday to why the husband and wife were found fatally shot in their Arcadia home Tuesday afternoon.

Capt. Mitch Kepley of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office says the deaths were a result of a domestic-related incident. The sheriff's office responded to the Benbow residence at 1283 Sunset Road at 1:47 p.m.

Kepley explained he couldn't comment on whether the deaths were being investigated as a murder-suicide. One of the deaths, however, was being investigated as a homicide, the captain said.

Kepley declined to specify if the husband or wife's death was determined to be a homicide.

Stunned by the deaths, friends of the family want to know more about the deaths of the Benbows, both of whom were 40 years old.

Travis Beck, owner of Beck's Hardwood Floors at 12133 N.C. Highway 150 North, Suite G, said he was in a daze as he tried to cope with the tragedy. He confirmed Emily Benbow was a co-owner of Creative Image beauty salon, located in Suite B at the same address of Beck's business.

"I'm just surprised," said Beck, noting he saw Emily Benbow on Saturday night when she came to his house to pick up a puppy. "I just can't believe it. Me and her joked around all day, every day. She was like a sister to me. I would like to know what, how (and) why. Everybody is trying to find answers."

Tuesday evening, Ray Woosley, Emily Benbow's father, described to The Dispatch how he found his daughter and son-in-law dead. The father decided to check on the couple after a day care worker called and told him his 3-year-old granddaughter had not shown up for day care Tuesday.

The concerned grandfather entered the house to find his granddaughter watching television. He continued through the house and located the couple in a room used as an office. Woosley then alerted authorities.

Woosley said his son-in-law worked at Cardinal Container Services in Lexington, and his daughter was a beautician. The father said the couple had been married for close to four years.

Woosley and neighbors were stunned by the deaths. They said they weren't aware of any problems in the Benbow household.

"Everybody is in real shock," Beck said.

Davidson County Sheriff David Grice said Tuesday that "both died violently." Kepley confirmed Wednesday morning that a handgun was involved but declined to comment where on the bodies the bullet wounds were located.

The sheriff's office, the captain said, are awaiting a preliminary report from the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Kepley expects the report in a few days.

"It's a tragic situation," Kepley said. "Anytime when you have a domestic-related situation where a child is involved, it's definitely a bad situation for all those involved. Not only for the individuals with the child and for the rest of the family, it's hard to cope for them."

A sheriff's office news release issued Wednesday morning stated the 3-year-old child is staying with other family members. Kepley said the girl was unharmed in the incident.

A number of residents using their Facebook pages posted condolences for the family and other remarks concerning the incident on The Dispatch's website. One of the residents was Lisa Sinclair of Arcadia who wrote that Emily Benbow was a "wonderful person."

Sinclair said in a phone interview with The Dispatch that she's known Emily Benbow for more than 20 years. She described her as a friend who cut her hair for several years. .

"She was just the kindest, most caring person," Sinclair said.

Sinclair, like many, also was surprised to hear of the deaths.

"Of course, it hits home in your neighborhood, but when it is someone that dear of a person, it's definitely a shock," Sinclair said.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Those who knew Timothy "Shane" and Emily Benbow were continuing to search for answers Wednesday to why the husband and wife were found fatally shot in their Arcadia home Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Capt. Mitch Kepley of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office says the deaths were a result of a domestic-related incident. The sheriff's office responded to the Benbow residence at 1283 Sunset Road at 1:47 p.m. </p><p>Kepley explained he couldn't comment on whether the deaths were being investigated as a murder-suicide. One of the deaths, however, was being investigated as a homicide, the captain said.</p><p>Kepley declined to specify if the husband or wife's death was determined to be a homicide.</p><p>Stunned by the deaths, friends of the family want to know more about the deaths of the Benbows, both of whom were 40 years old.</p><p>Travis Beck, owner of Beck's Hardwood Floors at 12133 N.C. Highway 150 North, Suite G, said he was in a daze as he tried to cope with the tragedy. He confirmed Emily Benbow was a co-owner of Creative Image beauty salon, located in Suite B at the same address of Beck's business.</p><p>"I'm just surprised," said Beck, noting he saw Emily Benbow on Saturday night when she came to his house to pick up a puppy. "I just can't believe it. Me and her joked around all day, every day. She was like a sister to me. I would like to know what, how (and) why. Everybody is trying to find answers."</p><p>Tuesday evening, Ray Woosley, Emily Benbow's father, described to The Dispatch how he found his daughter and son-in-law dead. The father decided to check on the couple after a day care worker called and told him his 3-year-old granddaughter had not shown up for day care Tuesday. </p><p>The concerned grandfather entered the house to find his granddaughter watching television. He continued through the house and located the couple in a room used as an office. Woosley then alerted authorities.</p><p>Woosley said his son-in-law worked at Cardinal Container Services in Lexington, and his daughter was a beautician. The father said the couple had been married for close to four years.</p><p>Woosley and neighbors were stunned by the deaths. They said they weren't aware of any problems in the Benbow household.</p><p>"Everybody is in real shock," Beck said. </p><p>Davidson County Sheriff David Grice said Tuesday that "both died violently." Kepley confirmed Wednesday morning that a handgun was involved but declined to comment where on the bodies the bullet wounds were located.</p><p>The sheriff's office, the captain said, are awaiting a preliminary report from the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Kepley expects the report in a few days.</p><p>"It's a tragic situation," Kepley said. "Anytime when you have a domestic-related situation where a child is involved, it's definitely a bad situation for all those involved. Not only for the individuals with the child and for the rest of the family, it's hard to cope for them."</p><p>A sheriff's office news release issued Wednesday morning stated the 3-year-old child is staying with other family members. Kepley said the girl was unharmed in the incident.</p><p>A number of residents using their Facebook pages posted condolences for the family and other remarks concerning the incident on The Dispatch's website. One of the residents was Lisa Sinclair of Arcadia who wrote that Emily Benbow was a "wonderful person."</p><p>Sinclair said in a phone interview with The Dispatch that she's known Emily Benbow for more than 20 years. She described her as a friend who cut her hair for several years. .</p><p>"She was just the kindest, most caring person," Sinclair said.</p><p>Sinclair, like many, also was surprised to hear of the deaths.</p><p>"Of course, it hits home in your neighborhood, but when it is someone that dear of a person, it's definitely a shock," Sinclair said.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>